“In the Halls of Justice, the only justice is in the halls” —Lenny Bruce
Elizabeth “Kim” McDonald, mother of deceased shrew, Kristin McDonald Ruggiero pleaded guilty to criminal liability for the conduct of another yesterday in Rockingham County Superior Court before judge Delker. The plea came on the heels of a plea agreement. She had negotiated the deal to avoid jail….avoid the central consequence of her criminal activity. To Judge Delker’s credit, he questioned prosecutors as to “why” she should not serve jail time. People like this belong in jail.
The prosecution took note of her age (guess 59 is too old for Prison), lack of criminal record (fact that this the first time she was caught) and willingness to plead guilty (anything to avoid jail). Her lawyer tells the Union Leader’s James Kimble, ” Yet not one mention of the child in her custody….the child of the late Kristin and Jeff Ruggiero. And, despite the fraud that brought these cases to the public attention, our family courts in its’ infinite wisdom, allows Kim McDonald to retain custody of their child, versus reuniting her with her father.
If no other principle rings true here in this case, the one constant is that justice for Jeff Ruggiero rings pretty hollow.
